Past the A-pillar, it's got a completely different body shape from the seven-seater, and has a tailgate with a twin-hatch opening. The car's boot is fitted with a removable ‘Modubox’, which essentially serves as a grandma-style shopping trolley in disguise.

At the other end of the range, VTR models are available with either 1598cc VTi petrol or 1560cc HDi diesel engines making 118bhp/118lb ft and 108bhp/210lb ft respectively. VTR+ trim gets the 1560cc HDi, plus either a 1997cc 148bhp/251lb ft HDi or a 1598cc, 153bhp/177lb ft petrol, while Exclusive models get the far simpler option of either of the two diesels. VTR+ and Exclusive models fitted with diesel engines also come equipped with a six-speed EGS6 gearbox if you so choose.

There are also low-CO2 Airdream versions available in VTR+ and Exclusive trim, using the 1.6-litre HDi engine but featuring a variety of eco tweaks to lower CO2 output from 132g/km to just 125g/km in the VTR+ model and 130g/km in the Exclusive.

The Exclusive model's oversized front seats look like a pair of armchairs, but are firm and supportive. The second tier of seating is made up of three individually mounted seats that all slide, recline and fold flat with ease. Out on the road, this C4 Picasso feels comfortable, but dynamically unexceptional. The chassis delivers a familiarly relaxed, loping ride that cossets better than it entertains (and you'd certainly expect that of a part air-sprung Executive model), while the 2.0-litre diesel engine make it brisk enough.

The semi-automatic shifter on our 2.0 HDi VTR+ test car was disappointing in either auto or manual mode, but feels particularly jerky when left to its own devices. Admittedly, progression is more fluid when you engage automated manual mode, but you need to drive as if operating a manual 'box, lifting off the throttle before it executes gear changes.